ORANGE CITY, IOWA – The Mustangs knew it would take a monumental effort to upset the no. 10 Northwestern Red Raiders on their home turf in the Great Plains Athletic Conference Softball Tournament Championship Series, let alone to do it twice. Morningside was able to get the first game in the best-of-three series, winning 3-1, but couldn't repeat as the Mustangs fell 2-5 and 1-5 to lose the series.

It was Northwestern that scored first in the opener, as a single, fielder's choice, sacrifice bunt, and another single scratched the only run for the home team across the plate. 

The Mustangs, following a mid at-bat pitching change in the sixth inning, saw an opportunity in the seventh, as Jenna Skradski was awarded first base after being hit by a pitch and Ellie Gengler moved her to second with a single. Northwestern went back to the starter, which is when Adeline Fliege loaded the bases with another single. 

Emma Barwick came up to the plate and split the left side of the infield, lacing a triple to the left field corner and scoring a pair of runs, with a third tagged out at the plate. Addyson Maxell followed with a single, scoring Barwick, before the side was retired.

Mackenzi Harrel had two hits in the contest, including a double. Fliege and Josie Hernandez also each had two.

Fliege struck out two and gave up seven hits, resulting in the lone run of the contest. 

Morningside took the lead in its first time at the plate in the second game, as Jalyn Noelle, Harrel, and Lainie Keller strung together a series of singles. Gengler added another single to score Harrel. The Mustangs would try the same formula in the third inning, making it as far as third base.

Morgan Secora took the circle in the contest, facing an agitated Raider lineup. The junior from Gretna, Neb., recorded five strikeouts, showing speed and control early, but giving up four hits and five runs, three of which were earned, by the time Northwestern's turn at the plate in the seventh came up.

As the "if necessary" game became "now necessary," Morningside turned to Fliege again for the start. The freshman from Omaha, Neb., gave up the series' only home run, a solo fly to right field, to put Northwestern on the board early. It would be one of just eight hits in the contest.

The Mustangs answered the solo shot with a pair of doubles for Harrel and Skradski, with Skradski getting the RBI. Gengler moved Skradski to third and advanced to second as a throwing error saw the ball sail out of play beyond first base. Northwestern was able to get the final out of the frame and answer with three runs to give itself a comfortable lead.

Morningside now prepares for May 12-15's National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Softball National Championship Opening Round, with pairings due out later this week.